Google’s new Chromecast announced in Nexus 2015 Event

On 29th of September, Google announced a new version of Chromecast along with the new Chromecast Audio, which has the capability of turning any speaker with an AUX input to a cast-onto-ready device. Welcome to the new era of Connectivity from the very well know Tech-giant Google.

Chromecast V.2

The very first version of Chromecast was launched in 2013, which was to bring internet like experience on a bigger screen like to your TV and it was a huge success selling more than 20 million of those devices like none other in its segment. Originally the first version of the Chromecast was launched in premium Black. The new one comes in 3 variants, Black, Lemonade and Coral.

Unlike it’s predecessor which had a shape of a Flash Drive, it has a small HDMI flat cable coming out of the round box.

Additionally, Google has improved the device’s connectivity and WiFi features, making sure that your Chromecast can stream high-quality content without a hitch. Besides support for the faster 802.11ac and dual-band 2.4GHz and 5 GHz support, the new Chromecast also intelligently chooses the best WiFi bands to use for the highest-quality stream. The original Chromecast only supported 802.11b/g/n.

We’re can’t wait to see lots of gorgeous, rich graphic rendered games made with the Chromecast in mind.

The new Chromecast comes with another new feature called “Fast Play” which allows your Chromecast to establish a connection much quicker and play content more seamlessly when pressing the “Cast” button on a connected device.

Micah Collins, senior product manager of Chromecast said:

What we were able to do was build a product that is extremely focused on delivering that quality and performance from the cloud. Build the construct where apps could communicate with it. Apps wherever users are. There is a way to reach all users through SDKs. That was the foundation. For 2 years we’ve bene building that out.

Looking onto the demand of the Chromecast, The goal is to get the next 80 million Chromecast users going, says the Team.

Chromecast Audio

The project codenamed Hendrix, made its way to be a amazing product. Chromecast Audio, which also costs $35, turns your speakers to cast onto ready device. Chromecast Audio works with apps like Spotify, Pandora, and iHeartRadio—any audio app that can support casting. Multi-room sync is expected later this year. With just a tap on the cast button provided in the app, you’ll be able to stream music wireless without a fuss. Its Fast, Simple and Easy to use. Once you hand over the source of content to the Chromecast Audio device, you’re free to use your phone for other stuff

The Chromecast Audio has high-quality capabilities, 2 watt RMS and optional optical digital out in its hybrid port. The thing is pretty sick.

Goodbye, Jambox and others. Bluetooth adapters suck, they really do. The cost of the Chromecast Audio makes picking up a few of them a no-brainer.

By the end of the year, the Chromecast app will have multi-room support for both Chromecast and Chromecast Audio.

Chromecast App

With all those shiny devices comes a shiny interface. Yes, the Chromecast app for iOS and Android is quite adorable.

Discovery is a lot easier on the app than it was in the past. And it has to be, since there is way more content that you can now cast. What the app does is scan your device for apps that use the Chromecast SDK and then deeplink to the content that you can interact with. Hulu, Netflix and more. Simply search for, say, “South Park” and all of the apps that has content matching that show will come up. You’ll also get supporting information about whatever you’re looking for, which is a staple of Google’s products.

Google has also revamped the “what you might like” area of the Chromecast app, for those of us who have zero idea of what we want to watch. I tend to either have something in mind or not watch anything at all, because discovery is so painful and my brain is drained by the end of the day.

Smart TVs and Sonos?

As I watched the demo of these devices, the first thing I thought of is “Sonos and smart TVs are dead.” I mean, who would want to buy one now? The experience on them is extremely janky, jam-packed with interfaces that never update.

Plus, it’s just really hard to pack the CPU power to do cool things into a TV. When we’re talking about audio, the same goes for Sonos. You’re pushed into using their interface, which isn’t the best. The speaker quality is great, but if you already have your own, why bother?